Adjustable armband sport leash with a control grip handle

Abstract

A pet leash which allows the user to remain connected to the pet such that the user can alternatively move between a hands-free connection and a hand-held connection. The hands-free connection can consist of an arm band fixture that can be connected to the user's arm and allows the pet owner to operate the leash hands free so that the user's hands are available for other tasks. The hand-held connection can consist of a grip handle that allows for a shorter hold on the leash and gives more control in situations in need of more restraint. The leash can be adjusted for different user arm lengths and for different dog heights. A pocket on the armband and a pouch on the grip handle can be provided for additional storage.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A leash assembly, comprising:
 an armband; 
 a strap having an upper portion and a lower portion, said strap secured to said armband at the upper portion of said strap; 
 a grip handle secured to said strap intermediate a first upper end of said strap and a second lower end of said strap; and 
 a hand strap having a first end secured to said strap between said grip handle and an upper end of said strap and a second end secured to said strap between said grip handle and a lower end of said strap. 
 
     
     
       2. The leash assembly of  claim 1  wherein said strap adapted for attachment at its lower portion to a collar or harness worn by a pet. 
     
     
       3. The leash assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a length adjuster connected to said strap between the first upper end and the grip handle for adjusting a length of said upper portion. 
     
     
       4. The leash assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a length adjuster connected to said strap between the second lower end and the grip handle for adjusting a length of said lower portion. 
     
     
       5. The leash assembly of  claim 1  wherein said armband adapted for securement to an upper arm area of a user and said armband having a storage pocket. 
     
     
       6. A leash assembly, comprising:
 an armband having a first side and a second side and a first end and a second end; 
 a strap having an upper portion and a lower portion, said strap secured to said armband at the upper portion of said strap; and 
 a grip handle secured to said strap intermediate a first upper end of said strap and a second lower end of said strap; 
 wherein said upper portion is above said grip handle and said lower portion is below said grip handle; 
 wherein said grip handle defines an internal storage area when said grip handle is in a closed position. 
 
     
     
       7. The leash assembly of  claim 6  wherein said armband adapted for securement to an upper arm area of a user by positioning the armband around the upper arm area and inserting a securement strap of said armband through a ring or loop of said armband and folded said securement strap over said ring or loop to permit a first hook and loop fastening portion disposed on a first side of said securement strap to mate with a second hook and loop fastening portion also disposed on the first side of said securement strap. 
     
     
       8. The leash assembly of  claim 6  wherein said armband having a storage pocket and pocket closing flap disposed on its first side. 
     
     
       9. The leash assembly of  claim 6  further comprising a latch fastener secured to a second lower end of said strap, said latch fastener adapted for attachment to a collar or harness worn by a pet during use. 
     
     
       10. The leash assembly of  claim 6  wherein said strap is removably secured to said armband. 
     
     
       11. The leash assembly of  claim 6  wherein said grip handle permanently secured to said strap. 
     
     
       12. The leash assembly of  claim 6  further comprising:
 a first length adjuster connected to said strap between a first upper end of said strap and the grip handle for adjusting a length of said upper portion; and 
 a second length adjuster connected to said strap between a second lower end and the grip handle for adjusting a length of said lower portion. 
 
     
     
       13. The leash assembly of  claim 6  wherein said grip handle having a first side and second side and a first end and a second end, a third hook and loop fastening portion provided on a first side of said grip handle along and approximate the first end of said grip handle and a mating fourth hook and loop fastening portion provided on a second side of said grip handle along and approximate a second end of said grip handle; wherein said grip handle is secured to said strap such that at least most of said first end and at least most of said second end of said grip handle are at least substantially parallel with said strap; wherein said grip handle is in its closed position by mating said third hook and loop fastening portion with said fourth hook and loop fastening portion. 
     
     
       14. A leash assembly, comprising:
 an armband having a first side and a second side and a first end and a second end, said armband having a ring or loop secured at or near its first end and securement strap secured at or near its second end, a first hook and loop fastening portion and a mating second hook and loop fastening portion are provided on a first side of said securement strap which coincides with the first side of said armband; 
 a strap secured to said armband at the upper portion of said strap; 
 a grip handle secured to strap intermediate a first upper end of said strap and a second lower end of said strap to define an upper strap portion above said grip handle and a lower strap portion below said grip handle; 
 a first length adjuster connected to said strap between the first upper end and the grip handle for adjusting a length of said upper portion; and 
 a second length adjuster connected to said strap between the second lower end and the grip handle for adjusting a length of said lower portion; 
 wherein said grip handle having a first side and second side and a first end and second end, a third hook and loop fastening portion provided on a first side of said grip handle along and approximate the first end of said grip handle and a mating fourth hook and loop fastening portion provided on a second side of said grip handle along and approximate a second end of said grip handle; wherein said grip handle is secured to said strap such that at least most of said first end and at least most of said second end of said grip handle are at least substantially parallel with said strap; wherein mating said third hook and loop fastening portion with said fourth hook and loop fastening portion creates an internal storage area within said grip handle. 
 
     
     
       15. A leash assembly, comprising:
 an armband having a first side and a second side and a first end and a second end, said armband having a ring or loop secured at or near its first end and securement strap secured at or near its second end, a first hook and loop fastening portion and a mating second hook and loop fastening portion are provided on a first side of said securement strap which coincides with the first side of said armband; 
 a strap secured to said armband at the upper portion of said strap; 
 a grip handle secured to strap intermediate a first upper end of said strap and a second lower end of said strap to define an upper strap portion above said grip handle and a lower strap portion below said grip handle; 
 a first length adjuster connected to said strap between the first upper end and the grip handle for adjusting a length of said upper portion; 
 a second length adjuster connected to said strap between the second lower end and the grip handle for adjusting a length of said lower portion; and 
 a hand strap having a first end secured to said strap between said grip handle and said first length adjuster and a second end secured to said strap between said grip handle and said second length adjuster. 
 
     
     
       16. A leash assembly, comprising:
 an armband having a first side and a second side and a first end and a second end, said armband having a ring or loop secured at or near its first end and securement strap secured at or near its second end, a first hook and loop fastening portion and a mating second hook and loop fastening portion are provided on a first side of said securement strap which coincides with the first side of said armband, said armband having a storage pocket and pocket closing flap disposed on its first side; 
 a strap secured to said armband at the upper portion of said strap; 
 a grip handle secured to strap intermediate a first upper end of said strap and a second lower end of said strap to define an upper strap portion above said grip handle and a lower strap portion below said grip handle, said grip handle having a first side and second side and a first end and second end, a third hook and loop fastening portion provided on a first side of said grip handle along and approximate the first end of said grip handle and a mating fourth hook and loop fastening portion provided on a second side of said grip handle along and approximate a second end of said grip handle; wherein said grip handle is secured to said strap such that at least most of said first end and at least most of said second end of said grip handle are at least substantially parallel with said strap; wherein mating said third hook and loop fastening portion with said fourth hook and loop fastening portion creates an internal storage area within said grip handle; 
 a first length adjuster connected to said strap between the first upper end and the grip handle for adjusting a length of said upper portion; 
 a second length adjuster connected to said strap between the second lower end and the grip handle for adjusting a length of said lower portion; and 
 a latch fastener secured to the second lower end of said strap, said latch fastener adapted for attachment to a collar or harness worn by a pet during use; 
 wherein said armband adapted for securement to an upper arm area of a user by positioning the armband around the upper arm area and inserting the securement strap through said ring or loop and folded said securement strap over said ring or loop to permit the first hook and loop fastening portion to mate with the second hook and loop fastening portion. 
 
     
     
       17. The leash assembly of  claim 16  wherein said armband and said securement strap are formed as one continuous member. 
     
     
       18. The leash assembly of  claim 16  wherein said strap is removably secured to said armband. 
     
     
       19. The leash assembly of  claim 16  wherein said grip handle permanently secured to said strap. 
     
     
       20. The leash assembly of  claim 16  further comprising a hand strap having a first end secured to said strap between said grip handle and said first length adjuster and a second end secured to said strap between said grip handle and said second length adjuster.